Diamonds in the Darkness: Stories of Faith and Inspiration During Difficult Times

By Heather L. Smith

YOU ARE DEEPLY LOVED BY GOD

YOU ARE HIS PRECIOUS CHILD

YOU ARE HIS BELOVED

The Father has given you tremendous talents.
His gifts will give your life meaning
and accomplish His great purpose for your life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Sep 25, 2020
• ISBN: 9781664201286

Heather L. Smith

Heather L. Smith was born during the Second World War in Richmond, Virginia. Moving often, she developed a deep compassion for lonely people and began writing letters of encouragement. When her marriage of thirty years ended, Heather continued her education, earning a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Social Work. Her third book was written after she lost her job of ten years, and God began a new work in her life. Heather lives in Mechanicsville, Virginia close to her family and friends.

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Copyright © 2020 Heather L. Smith.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

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All Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

ISBN: 978-1-6642-0127-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-0129-3 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-0128-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020914698

WestBow Press rev. date: 9/23/2020

Contents

Preface

Chapter 1 A Glimpse of Heaven

Chapter 2 God Speaks

Chapter 3 The Power of Prayer

Chapter 4 Jesus Loves You

Chapter 5 Trust Him

Chapter 6 Total Dependence

Chapter 7 Courage

Chapter 8 The Arms of Jesus

Chapter 9 The Christmas Season

Chapter 10 His Majesty

Chapter 11 Diamonds in the Darkness

Chapter 12 My Child

Chapter 13 Speak Life

Chapter 14 Surprises

Chapter 15 Unspeakable Joy

Chapter 16 A Pure Heart

Chapter 17 Learning to Rest

Chapter 18 A Changed Heart

Chapter 19 The Mercy of God

Chapter 20 Restoration

Chapter 21 Homecoming

Epilogue

To

My cherished mother,

Julia C. Lee

All my love

Preface

Dearly Beloved,

You are deeply loved by God. You are His most precious creation. You are His child. You are His beloved!

There is no one like you. The Father designed you uniquely and gave you tremendous gifts that will achieve His great purposes and give your life deep significance.

God has a plan for your life, my friend. His purpose will bring deep meaning and satisfy the longings of your heart.

As you rejoice over His goodness, know that He is preparing you for something wonderful. The Father has plans that will give you a hope and a future (see Jeremiah 29:11).

God will provide for you. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). Rest in Him today for you are His beloved child.

God loves you!

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1

A Glimpse of Heaven

Set your minds on things above,

not on earthly things.

For you died, and your life is now

hidden with Christ in God.

When Christ, who is your life, appears, then

you also will appear with him in glory.

—Colossians 3:2–4

Dearly Beloved,

Not long ago, I attended a Christian concert with my